• Highway cleanup leadership • Cell phones and smart meters • Rude actions at airport • Airport behavior Highway cleanup leadership The Hanalei Roads Committee sends our wholehearted thanks to the state Department of Transportation (DOT) District Engineer Ray McCormick,
• Highway cleanup leadership • Cell phones and smart meters • Rude actions at airport • Airport behavior
Highway cleanup leadership
The Hanalei Roads Committee sends our wholehearted thanks to the state Department of Transportation (DOT) District Engineer Ray McCormick, his staff and road crews who worked throughout this past week of drenching rain and chilling wind, repairing and clearing the state highway on Kaua‘i’s north shore.
DOT folks worked wonders on the Kilauea culvert portion of the highway and the mudslide near the Kalihiwai Bridge.
If you happened to drive on Route 560, the Historic Road Corridor from Princeville to Kea‘e, you slowed down for many clean-up projects.
The Hanaei Public Works crew from the county teamed up with the state DOT, working 24/7 to clear the roadway.
Many thanks to the DOT. In addition, we appreciate very much the work of Bow Construction and Earthworks (BC and E) teams who, lucky for us, are on-site already with their equipment and manpower working on the Lumaha‘i Retaining Wall and Loop projects.
The BC and E crews pitched in and extended their work east to Hanalei Hill and west to Waikoko, Wainiha and Ha‘ena.
All together, the DOT, the county and BC and E scraped, hauled, cleared and directed traffic, waving us through safely so we could all make it home.
Brian Hennessy and Barbara Robeson, co-chairs
Hanalei Roads Committee, Hanalei
Cell phones and smart meters
Last time I checked, Verizon had not made my cell phone mandatory. And Dell did not sell me this laptop computer under duress.
I chose these devices voluntarily, and no one forced my hand. I do not own a microwave oven, and that is because I have a choice.
Being fully aware of the risks that these devices may bring to my health has allowed me to either minimize their use (as in the case of my cell, which I use sparingly) or to avoid them altogether (as in the case of a microwave oven).
But now there is a device that may pose the same or worse risks as those above but is also involuntary: a smart meter.
First of all, the meter at my house is apparently not mine. Mike Yamane says it is the property of KIUC.
I am confused, though. Isn’t KIUC “member owned?”
But my/their old meter is getting replaced (without any permission needed) for one that is “smart.”
According to Mike Yamane, it is new technology we should all be excited about.
In fact, to hear him speak of it, it is a wonder KIUC ever managed without it. So, since KIUC is “under obligation to serve,” they are making the meters mandatory.
I had no voice in this as a member. Did anyone else?
Cell phones, microwave ovens and other wireless technology have been used in the argument that we all use this technology and that smart meters will be no different.
And yet I will have no control over my smart meter.
I will have no choice as to when and how it is installed, or when and how it is run.
Unlike any device I may choose to own and operate, smart meters are profoundly different. This raises a lot of questions. As it should.
Danitza Galvan, Puhi
Rude actions at airport
Sept. 11th forever tarnished the enjoyment of air travel. I am completely and totally embarrassed and ashamed by the publicity from the actions of Securitas and TSA at Lihu‘e Airport.
I understand the need to hire a particular “employee profile,” but these two companies have gone over and above the level of rudeness in the enforcement of homeland security.
There is an obligation to provide safety to all our locals and tourists to keep them safe.
But these employees have abused the people they serve long enough.
Hire school crossing guards to replace them. They will joyfully work for half the price and twice the aloha.
Kathy Sheffield, Koloa
Airport behavior
Pathetic airport security behavior by a “gentleman just doing his job” reeks of uncaring and lack of kokua.
Visitors desperate to carve out captivating memories during a horrendous week of storms do not need to be confronted with attitude.
Why didn’t this gentleman call the police for assistance or his superiors to find a helpful solution?
Sure, there were extremely unusual circumstances. Resources were scattered or unavailable.
Perfect time to step up, ensure security while extending heartfelt concern for well-being, performing the real specifics of his employment —being of gracious service.
This could have turned it around. Instead, one uninspiring individual sets up lingering disdain. Love to the Kanoho family, the lieutenant governor and the others who celebrate kahiau and the reasons we live here and guests continue to savor true aloha.
Mike Lyons, Kilauea
